<![CDATA[The Living Feed - Pulchritude]]>Tue, 14 May 2024 14:08:56 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[November 13th, 2018]]>Wed, 14 Nov 2018 05:49:17 GMThttp://thelivingfeed.com/pulchritude/november-13th-2018An idea I have been amusing myself with for some time now. I initially wanted to host a women's meetup in our previous home in San Leandro, but I never got around to doing it. Around here where we live now, in the Sierra Foothills, I observe a lot of beautiful women. Not that we did not have that proliferation back in San Leandro. I just seem to get a vibe here of women who care about how they look.

The meetup will not be a place for sales. It is a forum. Kind of a club where women get together to talk. In the shower just a few minutes ago, I thought through the possibilities, so I am laying out the details here. It feels like a thesis project. The beauty is, besides the fact that we're going to be talking about beauty, is that this is starting to feel like it could be a real, real thing.

The name (at least, initially): The Vanity Case

What is it?  A meetup, twice a month, where mainly women get together. People of other genders can join as well, provided they are interested in what The Vanity Case stands for. The Vanity Case is exactly that: a "toolkit" of a sort. You start by talking about makeup. What is your routine? What products do you love are in your vanity case? How did you decide to do your face the way you did today? Let's talk about your hair: why is it the way it's done today? What made you select this outfit?

You then morph the trail of thought into reflection mode. Why? What was it that made you present yourself the way you are doing right now? You are made to think on your feet. Hopefully you are exposing yourself, rendering yourself vulnerable, and as a result, honest and raw. This practice will cultivate self-awareness.

I posit that self-awareness can lead to identifying our personal patterns. Our patterns - the default faces we present to the world. The patterns that could enhance, embellish, and conceal. By coming to terms with our patterns we can realize who we have become, and what we want to be. In so realizing these differences (unless rare ones come along who are exactly who they are, and not what they are supposed to be), we can build the confidence to be the best versions of our authentic selves.

Where?  Coffee shops, Wine lounges

When?  Twice a month, starting with a Sunday from 2-4pm (where perhaps women who have families, or chores to handle the rest of the weekend could have something to look forward to; also, committing to this on a Sunday helps to set the tone for the rest of the week - hopefully a positive one!)

How?  I facilitate. An invitation will go out via Facebook, starting within the Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay Moms' Group. I will ask questions to start the forum, and will be transparent about this not being about me, but being about every single one of us. Perhaps the first session I buy everyone coffee and pastries.

What are the rules?  Bring anyone who might be interested. Keep in mind, this is a safe space. You can be open about yourself. No judgments. You can voice your opinions, but do your best to engage this in a productive manner.

Ideas for discussion
Session 1 ::: Who are you, what do you do? What made you come here today? What is your makeup routine? What are you using as your vanity case? Show us your favorite product, and trick(s). Why did you present yourself the way you did today - with regards to your makeup (whether you have any on, or not), your hair, and your clothes?
Session n ::: Who are your favorite beauty bloggers/vloggers/sites/influencers? What is it you like about them? 
Session n ::: What was your favorite beauty moment - either something that happened to you, a story you were told, a book you read, or from a movie you saw? Does it involve makeup? What about it appealed to you?
Session n ::: Which celebrities/non-celebrities do you wish too emulate? What about them do you like?
Session n ::: Whether you've tried it already or not: how would you think of scrimping? Or splurging? Again, you can fantasize if you'd like!
Session n ::: What is your favorite feature of yourself? Do you think you take advantage of it enough? Would you change anything about you?
Session n ::: What do you think are people's impressions of you? What types of comments do you get from people if any? Let's go around the room and ask what each person's impression of you is.
Session n ::: Have you ever had a eureka moment? An accidental beauty discovery?
Session n ::: Do you believe in fortunes? Do you keep fortune cookie fortunes? What was the nicest revelation someone, or something told you? What was the worst one? Did you believe it? Why, or why not?
Session n ::: What are your favorite accessories? Are you a bag person, or a shoe person?
Session n ::: Do you have a favorite heroine? From either a fantasy movie or not? Will you dare dress like her/him next time you come? For halloween? Everyday?
Session n ::: Are you on social media? What is your Instagram handle? Show and tell. Is a current picture of you up? What made you pick the photo you have on there. Do you think you're showing the best parts of your life, or the worst parts of your life? 
Session n ::: Do you practice smiling? What beauty moments do you fantasize about - what would the hair, makeup, clothes look like?
Session n ::: Do you have any beauty keepers? Who are they? How did you find them? Would you recommend them?
Session n ::: Are you aware of the facial expressions you make? Let's record them? How do you find them? Would you like to change anything? How do we do that?

How would I launch it? I am thinking to first have coffee with the lady I met when we took Stella and Max trick or treating. She is a realtor, and has lived in the area for 30+ years. She could be a good voice as to my assessment of the women I encounter here, and could also be a great resource in the selection of venues.

The question now is: When do I muster the courage to begin?
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